Fundora Puts WBC Belt on the Line vs Unbeaten Hadribeaj on Oct 17

Sebastian Fundora will defend his WBC super-welterweight title against unbeaten mandatory challenger Ermal Hadribeaj on October 17, headlining a PBC card that streams live on DAZN with TNT Sports carrying it in the UK. The 6ft 6in southpaw is 24-1-1 (15 KO) and has held the belt since edging Tim Tszyu by split decision in March 2024.

Fundora enters riding a three-fight stoppage streak. He beat Chordale Booker, avenged himself against Tszyu in a rematch, and most recently stopped former unified welterweight champ Keith Thurman via sixth-round TKO in March. That's a champion in form — and one who's chosen to honor his mandatory rather than chase the money fights sitting in front of him.

The Challenger's Leap

Hadribeaj arrives at 23-0-1, the best record he'll ever carry into a fight he's not favored to win. The Albanian-born contender earned this shot by outpointing Bakary Samake in a final eliminator in May, a unanimous decision that dropped Samake to 19-1 (11 KO). Clean résumé, sure. But there's a canyon between beating the division's #10 and sharing a ring with a champion who's finished his last three.

The step up is the whole story here. Hadribeaj hasn't faced anyone with Fundora's length, output, or pedigree, and a maiden world title fight is a brutal place to discover whether you belong at the top. On paper this is a mismatch. On paper.

Why Not Unify?

The interesting subplot is what Fundora turned down. Super welterweight is loaded, and Jaron 'Boots' Ennis has been loud about wanting to go undisputed at 154 after picking up the WBA and WBO straps. A Fundora-Ennis unification would be one of the biggest fights the division can offer.

Instead, Fundora committed to clearing his mandatory first. Beat Hadribeaj and the path opens up — negotiations for a marquee unification can finally start in earnest. The October 17 card also anchors PBC's new multi-year deal with DAZN, announced in July, which brings another major promotional stable onto the platform. First, though, the champ has an unbeaten man to deal with.